Rain doesn't dampen Bristol's Puerto Rican Day Festival

Monday

Even the rain could not dampen the spirits of the community Sunday for the 42nd annual Puerto Rican Day Festival at Lion’s Park in Bristol.

The aroma of authentic dishes mingled in the air with the scent of rain.

The event is sponsored by the Puerto Rican Cultural Association of Bucks County.

This year, for the first time, the event featured pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino horses and a Pirate Roberto Cofresi, better known as El Pirata Cofresi, re-enactment.

Also included in the event: live music, authentic cuisine, cultural workshops and novelty vendors.

While cultural music was playing throughout the park families strolled around taking in the history of Puerto Rico. Some in the crowd return to Bristol for Puerto Rican Day because it is part of their culture.

Nilda Hillyer of Bristol Township was raised in Bristol and returns to her roots for the special event.

“The music is my favorite part,” said Hillyer. “It is my heritage.”

Hillyer also noted that she did not know about the Paso Fino horses. A lesson learned about her culture.

“The horses are so pretty,” said Jasmine Hillyer, 8.

Nicole Roemhild of Bensalem returns every year in anticipation of running into family and friends to celebrate her heritage with good music.

Nick Fitzgerald of Philadelphia returns to Bristol on Puerto Rican Day for the atmosphere.

“I like the feeling that is generated,” said Fitzgerald.

The party-like environment is what draws him back, noted Fitzgerald.

The horses tapped around giving the crowd a demonstration on the smooth, natural, four beat lateral gait they possess.

During the demonstration, William Lopez showed a mare, Corzon Dulce De Lopez, and Jorge Rivera showed the stallion Julian De La Suerte, both from Vineland, N.J.

During the gait each foot has to touch the ground independently, delicately and evenly spaced, according to Mildred Lopez, owner of the horses.

According to Lopez, the only pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino horse show in the United States is held in South Carolina.

“The bloodline is rare,” said Lopez. “There are not many left.”

The horses at the event come from the pure Puerto Rican bloodline that she breeds.

“In 1998 there were only about 2,500 left,” said Lopez. “Now I believe there may be 4,500.”

The Paso Fino horse is judged by the gait and smoothness of the rider. Three feet remain on the ground at all times and the horse's head remains up high.

Paso Fino horses vary in colors and average size is 14 hands.

Another part of history re-enacted was that of Pirate Roberto Cofresi, the Robin Hood of Puerto Rico. He would steal the cargo back from the Spanish ships and return it to the islands it was stolen from.

Beaten by Americans as a child for stealing sugar from an American ship, Cofresi started hating Americans and would only steal from American ships when he grew older until he learned of the Spanish stealing from the islands, according to actor Juan Caceres, who acted out the part of Cofresi.

Dressed in black pants and a white pirate shirt and pirate hat, he strolled the park looking for someone to raise a sword to.

El Pirata Cofresi was taken down by one little 3-year-old Maggie Reilly during a make-believe sword fight. She victoriously trotted away after her victory.

The day also included performances by regional singers Kombo Latino and Trio Renancer, Grupo Kachi, folkloric dancers doing a bomba dance, Group Dynasty performing a salsa dance, and others.

The Puerto Rican Cultural Association of Bucks County was started to recognize and celebrate Puerto Rican culture and to preserve the festival.

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